Three groups of conscientious objectors to work together - by Lili Galily

11/01/2004

The movements share political and ideological similarities. Members of the three groups define themselves as Zionists, with a concern for the army and Isralei society. All three also restrict their refusal to service in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. (For example, they are willing to serve along the northern border with Lebanon, where Hezbollah operates.)

Three organizations of Israel Defense Forces reservists who refuse to serve in the territories are expected to join forces and work together.

The announcement from the groups - signatories of "The Courage to Refuse" letter, which was signed by officers and soldiers refusing to serve in the territories, signatories of the pilots' letter, who refuse to participate in attempts to assassinate senior wanted men in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, and the 13 reservist soldiers and officers in the IDF's elite Sayeret Matkal unit also refusing to serve in the territories - is expected to take place at a joint demonstration the three movements are planning at the Kissufim junction on Friday.

The joint activity will be a public expression of the process that has been taking place behind the scenes in recent months. Senior members of "Courage to Refuse," which began two years ago and is headed by David Zonshine, were involved in assisting in the organization of the groups of pilots and Sayeret Matkal soldiers.

The movements share political and ideological similarities. Members of the three groups define themselves as Zionists, with a concern for the army and Isralei society. All three also restrict their refusal to service in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. (For example, they are willing to serve along the northern border with Lebanon, where Hezbollah operates.) They differ from the "Yesh Gvul" movement, whose signatories include anti-Zionists, and which supports the five high school seniors recently sentenced to one-year in prison for refusing to be drafted in the army.

Supporters of "Courage to Refuse" and signatories of the pilots' letter took part in a demonstration Saturday opposite Prison 6, in support for the five conscientious objectors who began their year-long sentence this week. 500 people, including the parents of the conscientious objectors, took part in the demonstration, which was organized by "Yesh Gvul."